This is essential reading for it paints a vivid picture of what life may well be like in the not too distant future if we don’t do something NOW about global warming. Rest assured though it’s not a rant about that but the author brilliantly interweaves our possible future into an utterly compelling story. Thank you for your kind words. I hope that you and your class enjoy Floodland after half-term. Hide replies What age did you first start writing and when did you think that one day you'd write a novel that would actually be published? The historical context of most of your novels must mean a huge amount of research prior to writing each book. What does this involve and how long does it take? saw Marcus turn his attention to books for younger readers with the launch of a humorous new series: The Raven Mysteries, narrated by a grumpy raven, Edgar.

I love music, both listening to it and playing it (I'm a drummer). A day without music is not a proper day... I also love travel and try to travel as much as I can manage. I am teaching this to my year 6 class and it has been a great success as it totally engages its readers and is topical and relevant. Floodland has a powerful and emotive theme, handled with warmth and humanity. About This Edition ISBN: The idea behind this post apocalyptic world was fascinating and it wasn't too preachy seeing as it is a possible eventuality of global warming. A middle-grade short novel about a post-global-warming world in which much of what was England is now under water. Ten-year-old Zoe and her parents struggle to survive in Norwich, now an island, until the last supply ship is set to take them away. But Zoe gets separated from her parents and misses the boat. Months later she finds a small boat and sets out to try to find them.This was hailed as one of the most extraordinary debuts when it was first published in 2000. Set in the near future on the east coast of England that has been reclaimed by the sea it tells the story of a girl who, having been mistakenly left behind by her parents escaping from the flood, she heads off to find them but ends up in the hands of a mob of nasty men on a small island. Zoe's parents left on a supply ship without realising Zoe was still on the island. She manages to flee Norwich on a derelict boat called Lyca. Zoe makes it to another island where she is faced with more danger. This story delves into Zoe's adventures where she meets lots of fascinating characters along the way.

Marcus has been shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal five times, the Edgar Allan Poe Award (twice) and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize (four times). He is also the most noted author in the history of the Printz Award, with one win and two honour books,for Revolver, The Ghosts of Heaven and Midwinter Blood. It varies from book to book but it's not a chore as I love to do research. It's easier than actually writing the things! For Revolver, the research spanned about 16 months, of little trips here and there and lots and lots of reading! Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments Thank you so much - lots of quality resources and excellent ideas. I'm looking forward to teaching this with my mixed ability Y6 class. Set in a world that has suffered from the Ice caps melting, we are taken on a journey that looks at what the world might be like if everywhere flooded. It reminded me of zombie apocalypse films where humanity either turns on each other or works together...

Zoe ends up on an island (called isle of the Eels) which is run by a sinister boy named Dooby, who holds an unpleasant control over all left on the island. Floodland is an interesting story about a young girl called Zoe who lives on a deserted island, Norwich. Norwich is deserted because of high sea levels. Floodland is a challenging novel for older readers who will be captivated by a vision of the future that is not so unbelievable. Imagine that a few years from now England is covered by water, and Norwich is an island. Zoe, left behind in the confusion when her parents escaped, survives there as best she can. Alone and desperate among marauding gangs, she manages to dig a derelict boat out of the mud and gets away to Eels Island. But Eels Island, whose raggle-taggle inhabitants are dominated by the strange boy Dooby, is full of danger too. The belief that she will one day find her parents spurs Zoe on to a dramatic escape in a story of courage and determination that leads to an unexpected and touching conclusion. Floodland has a powerful and emotive theme, handled with warmth and humanity. The Raven Mysteries are full of humour and mad-cap action, which is quite different from your novels for older readers. Was this a conscious decision of yours when setting out to write this series?